By Andi Anderson
Kalamazoo Valley Community College is offering a series of free workshops designed to help beginning farmers build essential skills in produce safety and farm management. These sessions are based on a newly developed curriculum created by educators across Michigan to support the next generation of growers.
The workshops will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 PM at the Kalamazoo Valley Community College Food Innovation Center, located at 224 E Crosstown Parkway in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Sessions are hands-on and interactive, giving participants the chance to learn key practices while also offering feedback on the training modules being tested.
The goal of the workshops is to support beginner farmers with practical knowledge and tools for managing safe and productive operations. Participants will explore real-life farming situations, improve their understanding of food safety, and connect with fellow new farmers and agricultural educators.
These workshops also give farmers a voice in shaping the educational materials that may soon be used across Michigan. Input from attendees will help refine and improve the program to better serve beginning farmers statewide.
Organizers encourage anyone interested in starting or expanding a small farm to attend. Whether you're growing for personal use, farmers’ markets, or local restaurants, these workshops offer valuable insight into sustainable and safe farming practices.
With food safety regulations becoming more important than ever, learning how to properly handle and manage produce is a key skill for all farmers. These workshops provide a strong foundation in those skills while also supporting broader education efforts.
For new and aspiring farmers, this is a unique chance to build knowledge, strengthen farm practices, and play a role in shaping future training programs.
Photo Credit: istock-dusanpetkovic
Categories: Michigan, Education